As winter starts to set in, little orphaned rhino calves snuggle each other to keep out the chill; it is a very heartwarming sight seeing such support.
Undisclosed Location, South Africa (18 May 2021) – The Rhino Orphanage takes care of all the calves left behind due to poaching. These young rhinos often need 24-hour specialised care, which is why they are taken from the wild and cared for at the orphanage. They would not survive out in the wild on their own.
Many of the rhino calves at the orphanage form bonds with each other and turn to each other for comfort. This is especially true when winter sets in and the nights become longer and colder.
In the wild, a rhino calf would draw warmth from its mother, but as that security has been taken away, the rhino orphans get to snuggle with each other in the winter months. The Rhino Orphanage shared a photo recently showing how the rhino calves snuggle under infra-red lights to stay warm.
“As temperatures start dropping our younger orphans have their Infra-red lights on at night time. In the wild their mom’s would know exactly where to go for the night and their calves would snuggle close for warmth. Ending up at the orphanage they dont have that and our carers will let them sleep indoors where it is warmer.
Mapimpi & Annie (photographed above) sleep unsupervised and can not have blankets over them, as little rhino calves often chew & suck on blankets. They also reach a certain age where they do not tolerate blankets over them anymore. Those like Annie who didn’t need a blanket in the summer heat when she first arrived will definitely not allow a blanket over her back. Infrared lights make an excellent substitute as they provide warmth without disturbing the babies.”
Both the rhino calves draw great comfort from each other and will remain close for most of their time at the orphanage.
You can find out more about their individual stories via the orphanage’s Facebook page here.